Use of Clove Oil and Eugenol to Anesthetize Fingerling Shabut Barbus grypus

Abstract

In this study, the efficacy of four doses of clove oil and eugenol were compared to sedate fingerling Shabut Barbus grypus to various stages of sedation and recovery. The results from the present study indicated that effective concentrations were at 50 μL/L for eugenol (induction time: 58 ± 8 s; recovery time: 199 ± 15 s [mean ± SD]) and clove oil (induction time: 76 ± 6 s; recovery time: 161 ± 34 s). The induction times decreased significantly with the increasing concentrations of clove oil and eugenol, while recovery times increased with increasing concentrations of anesthetic (P < 0.05). Exposure of fish to 75 or 100 μL/L clove oil or to 50, 75, or 100 μL/L eugenol resulted in mean induction times ≤ 1 min. Fish did not become fully sedated within 3 min when treated with 25 μL/L clove oil. Other concentrations of both anesthetics, fish reached to full induction at ≤ 3 min and recovered from anesthesia ≤ 5 min. Our results showed the clove oil and eugenol are effective anesthetics for fingerling Shabut when used at concentrations of 50–100 μL/L.

Received March 25, 2013; accepted July 5, 2013

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks to the staff of the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, Fish Production Station, Atatürk Dam Lake, Urfa, Turkey, for their technical assistance during the experimental period.